Background: Bystander's cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the factors to increase the chance of survival of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study aimed to determine the bystander’s (CPR) rate and its contributing factors in Kashan (Iran) in 2014.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 277 untrained bystanders who accompanied patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were studied in a six-month period in Kashan in 2014. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire consisted of demographic data (age and gender of patients and their bystanders, education and relation of bystanders with the patients, and the place of CPR), and specific questions (the bystander CPR experience, reasons for refusal to perform CPR, and the actions performed by a bystander). Patients’ survival data were obtained from their hospital records and analyzed using the t-test and chi-square test with SPSS version 16.

Results: Ten out of 277 bystanders (3.6%) had performed CPR. There was a significant difference between the rate of bystander’s (CPR) rate and the age of patients and their bystanders, bystanders’ CPR experience, education of bystanders, and place of CPR. The rate of bystander’s (CPR) rate was increased with a decrease in the age of patients and their bystanders, and with an increase in bystanders’ educational level. The rate of BCPR was higher in cases with out-of-home cardiac arrests. Of the 10 bystander’s (CPR) rate cases, a return of spontaneous circulation had been stimulated in 2 patients and only 1 patient was discharged from the hospital.

Conclusion: The bystander’s (CPR) rate was very low in Kashan City and the most frequent obstacle was a lack of knowledge and skills.